Page 49 of The Curse Between Us

Zephyr rolled over, propping himself up on one elbow and grinning. It was beginning to grow warmer as the sun rose higher in the sky, and they both discarded their gloves. “But where would it hang? We would need two versions, one for my palace and one for yours.”

“We could hang it here,” Edric suggested. “So we could laugh at it every time we visited together, wondering how we ever managed to remain composed long enough for it to be painted.”

They both broke into laughter at the idea, and Edric felt his heart swell in his chest at the way Zephyr’s eyes crinkled up in his amusement. He ached to reach out, to smooth those lines away, to feel the softness of his skin under his fingertips. His good humour slipped away as he stared at his husband. If they were truly prophesied to be together, if all of this was indeed meant to happen-- then why could not they touch one another?

Edric rose to his feet, hands clenching into fists at his sides. “It isn’t fair,” he muttered under his breath. “If the world is asking so much of us, can we not even have this? Can we not even have each other in all the ways we want?”

They had made an art of bringing themselves pleasure in shared settings, but Edric did not refer only to sexual acts. He wanted to be able to push Zephyr’s hair away from his forehead, to press a comforting kiss to his brow or his cheek, to stand behind him and massage the tension from his shoulders withoutclothing in the way. He wanted it all so badly, his chest ached with it.

A moment later, he felt Zephyr’s presence behind him. “Perhaps it is part of the test,” he said. “We entered this marriage for reasons other than desire and affection, Edric. Those things have come with time, and I am grateful beyond words that they have. Maybe, when all of this is over, that will be our reward.”

“Reward?” Edric spun to face him, jaw tight. “I don’t want to jump through hoops decreed by some distant power before I can touch you ungloved, Zephyr. I want to show you, here and now, how much I have come to love you.”

He only realized what he had said as Zephyr’s eyes flared wide, as his lips parted on a surprised inhale.

Edric had known it since the first time they came to this meadow. Had seen the way Zephyr smiled at the flowering trees, the way he tucked the blossom Edric offered him behind his ear. That was the moment Edric knew: he was in love with his husband.

He had not, however, intended to declare it so suddenly, to impose his feelings on Zephyr that way.

“I’m sorry,” he breathed. “Zephyr, I’m--” He started to turn away, his throat tightening, but Zephyr stopped him.

“Don’t,” he said fiercely. “Do not be sorry, Edric, either for feeling it or for saying it.” He met Edric’s eyes, his own a brighter blue than the sky above them, and said, “I love you.”

Maybe it was the stillness of this place, the way it always felt like something out of a dream. Maybe it was the way they were already stripped so bare to one another, hearts exposed under the shining sun. Edric could not say who moved first, whose careful control broke, but the next thing he knew, his hand was in Zephyr’s, and he felt no pain.

Zephyr pulled back immediately, apologies tumbling from his lips, but Edric just stared at his hand, bracing for painthat did not come. He frowned, then reached out again. He did not touch Zephyr, but left his hand hanging in the space between them, a fragile hope blossoming in his chest.

“Trust me,” he whispered. If he was wrong--

Zephyr swallowed heavily, but met Edric’s eyes as he extended his own bare hand. Their fingertips brushed together, as delicate as the flutter of a butterfly’s wings, and again there was no pain.

Exhaling deeply, Edric turned his wrist and placed his entire palm flat against Zephyr’s. Neither moved as the seconds passed and they felt only the warmth of each other’s skin, the calluses formed by years of fighting a war they had brought to an end. “It’s a miracle,” Zephyr murmured. “Edric, how is this--”

“How is any of this possible?” Edric asked. In that moment, he didn’t care about the prophecy, didn’t care about the forces of the universe meddling in his fate. All he cared about was the feeling of Zephyr’s hand in his own, the words they had just spoken aloud.

A smile of pure joy broke across his face as he tightened his grip. “I love you,” he said again, deliberately this time, enunciating every syllable, imbuing them with weight and significance. “Zephyr, I--”

He was cut off by the press of Zephyr’s lips against his own.

Edric had been dreaming of this kiss for many months. Since their wedding night, at least, if not even earlier. Zephyr’s lips were soft and plush against his, warm and welcoming. Sighing, Edric deepened the kiss, bringing his arms up around Zephyr’s shoulders and pulling him closer. It was an indescribable joy, holding him so tightly, and after a moment Edric pulled back so that he could rest his forehead against Zephyr’s, letting out a shaky laugh.

“Is this a dream?” he asked under his breath.

Smiling mischievously, Zephyr reached out and pinched him lightly, just above the elbow. Edric yelped more in protest than in pain, then gasped as Zephyr leaned down to press his lips to the spot he had just pinched. “Apparently not,” Zephyr murmured, lips tickling over the soft skin of Edric’s arm. “We are awake and aware, and for reasons unknown to me, your touch brings me only pleasure, not pain.”

Edric smiled, holding Zephyr’s gaze. He slowly licked his lips, watching as Zephyr’s eyes dropped to follow the movement, darkening as they did. “Well,” Edric said. “I am not inclined to look upon this blessing with suspicion. I believe we ought to take advantage of it while we can, if you are willing?”

Zephyr swallowed roughly. “I am,” he said. “The things I’ve wanted to do with you, Edric, you have no idea--”

“Then show me,” Edric said, a series of vivid images already running through his own mind. Zephyr made an approving sound and surged forward again, lips meeting Edric’s in a desperate kiss.

It was no less wondrous the second time around, and now that Edric was not bracing for something terrible to happen the instant he dropped his guard, he could enjoy it fully. He had not kissed anyone in a long time, but his body remembered, and the depth of his feelings for Zephyr only heightened the sensation. He slid his hands down to rest at his husband’s hips, thumbs digging in slightly, and Zephyr groaned against him, shamelessly pressing himself further into Edric’s hold.

He could have stayed there for hours, just kissing, but it seemed Zephyr had other ideas. His hands, laced behind Edric’s neck, slowly dipped beneath the collar of Edric’s shirt, tracing a light line between his shoulder blades. Edric bit back a moan as Zephyr nipped lightly at the point where his neck met his jaw, teasing. “Can I remove this?” Zephyr asked, tugging at his shirt.

It was more than warm enough in the meadow, and judging by the way matters were progressing, they would be creating heat of their own soon. Edric nodded frantically, releasing his hold on Zephyr and stretching his arms over his head to assist him in removing the offending garment. As it fell to the ground, he arched an eyebrow at Zephyr and nodded towards his own shirt. “It would only be fair.”

“Let us not risk disturbing the delicate balance of this place,” Zephyr replied, laughing. He pulled his own shirt over his head in an unhurried, deliberate manner. Edric watched hungrily as his chest was bared to view, the knowledge that he could finally reach out and touch all that inviting skin making him somewhat light-headed.

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